Tag: family travel

  • 2.5 Days in Florence with Kids: Cooking Classes, Leather Markets & Day Trips

    🛤️ Getting to Florence

    We took the Frecciarossa train from Venice to Florence and grabbed a quick breakfast from the train station coffee shop. From there, it was a short walk to our Family Apartment Ca Lina – Annex Hotel Santa Maria Novella. This place was perfect for our crew — three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen made it feel like a home base.

    Family Apartment in Florence

    🍝 Pasta, Gelato & Pizza

    We kicked off our time in Florence with lunch at Ristorante Pizzeria Ginori — simple, delicious, and kid-approved.

    That afternoon we joined a Pasta & Gelato Cooking Class at Towns of Italy Cooking School. This was a highlight of the trip — a 3-hour, hands-on experience where everyone got to make tagliatelle, ravioli, and sauces from scratch. Maddie took charge of the pesto, and Paige and Olivia whipped up some amazing vanilla gelato.

    Family Apartment in Florence

    🌆 Exploring Florence by Night

    In the evening, we explored the city starting with the Mercato del Porcellino (Leather Market) and Piazza della Signoria. We saw the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo Vecchio, Michelangelo’s David replica, and the open-air sculpture gallery.

    We wandered down to the Ponte Vecchio, admired the luxury stores, caught street performers, and made a quick stop at Sephora Firenze (of course). We wrapped up the evening with gelato from Edoardo Gelato — a recommendation from our cooking instructor and a new favorite!

    Evening in Florence

    👉 Link to Gelato Favorites Post

    🌄 Day Trip to Lucca & Pisa (6/3)

    We booked a private 9-hour tour with All Tuscany Company, led by Euan MacKa. He was so personable — sharing history and stories the whole way.

    In Lucca, we climbed Torre delle Ore (207 steps!), visited the Basilica di San Frediano, walked the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, and enjoyed gelato at Gelateria Anfiteatro. Lunch at Dal Poderino was relaxing and delicious.

    In Pisa, we climbed the Leaning Tower, visited the Baptistery of Saint Giovanni (including an echo demonstration), and explored the Pisa Cathedral.

    Leaning Tower of Pisa

    👉 Link to Day Trip to Pisa & Lucca Post

    We ended the day with dinner at La Buchetta Food & Wine back in Florence — the blue cheese ravioli and liquid nitrogen gelato made table-side were amazing (make a reservation — they were turning people away!).

    🏛️ Climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome (6/4)

    On our final morning, we climbed Brunelleschi’s Dome — 463 steep, narrow steps up to panoramic views of Florence. It took about 50 minutes and was such a fun challenge for the kids. Definitely buy tickets in advance — it was sold out for the day when we arrived.

    View from Brunelleschi's Dome

    After one last Nutella-filled breakfast at the hotel, we caught the Frecciarossa train to Rome.

    💡 Quick Tips:

    • Book Brunelleschi’s Dome and La Buchetta ahead of time.
    • Towns of Italy cooking class was kid-friendly and worth every euro.
    • Use a transfer company like All Tuscany for day trips — it made logistics a breeze.

    👉 Our Travel Gear Must-Haves

    👉 Day Trip: Lucca + Pisa

    👉 Best Gelato in Italy

  • Our Favorite Travel Gear for Families: Tested on a 2-Week European Adventure

    After years of domestic trips and Disney runs, we took the leap—an international family adventure through Italy and Greece. With three kids in tow, we needed travel gear that was functional, comfortable, and stylish enough to keep up with our pace. Below are the products that truly earned their keep—and made traveling smoother (and cuter) every step of the way.

    👜 Anti-theft Bags We Loved

    Four girls with travel bags in Venice

    🌬️ Cooling Must-Haves

    • Neck Fans – Hands-free and lifesaving during hot sightseeing days.
    • Handheld Fan – Compact and powerful for quick cool-downs.

    💧 Hydration on the Go

    👟 Shoes That Actually Worked

    • Veja sneakers — walked 20,000 steps in these and still felt great.

    ✈️ Luggage & Travel Accessories

    Luggage lineup with Cotopaxi and Away bags
    • Away Bigger Carry-On – Our go-to suitcase for flights: roomy, sleek, and fits overhead bins like a pro.
    • Luggage Strap – Great for holding backpacks to suitcases during airport transfers.
    Close-up of luggage strap on suitcase

    🧼 Packing Organization & Laundry

    Compression cubes inside suitcase

    😴 Comfort Items for Flights

    • Sleep Mask – Great for overnight flights or napping on trains.
    • Neck Pillow – Our youngest swears by hers.

    🔒 Security Must-Haves

    🎒 Backpacks That Worked

    🔌 Tech Accessories

    💊 Health & Medications

    • Travel Medication Pouch
      My favorite way to organize meds for the whole family. I pre-label each compartment with printed mini stickers (as shown!) and toss it in a soft drawstring pouch. Perfect for ibuprofen, allergy meds, and more.Travel medication pouch with labeled pill compartments

    🚉 Real Life: Gear in Action

    Dad and daughter at train station with luggage Train station shot of luggage and straps Family navigating station with gear

    This list isn’t sponsored—just real recommendations from a mom who tried all the things to make travel easier. We’ll keep adding favorites as we find them!

    Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products we personally used and loved on our family travels.

  • Day Trip to Lucca and Pisa

    Day Trip to Lucca and Pisa

    We booked a day trip to Lucca and Pisa with All Tuscany Company, and it was a highlight of our Italy adventure. Our driver, arranged by owner Euan MacKa, was personable, engaging, and full of great stories and historical insight. He even gave us walking tours in both cities before letting us explore on our own. The entire experience lasted about 9 hours and was seamless from start to finish.

    Lucca

    We started in Lucca, a charming medieval town with cobblestone streets and peaceful energy. We wandered the old town, climbed the Torre delle Ore for sweeping views, and made sure to sample some of the best gelato around.

    Walking through Lucca's medieval streets
    📍Exploring the charming medieval streets of Lucca—such a photogenic town with so much character.
    Gelateria Anfiteatro storefront
    🍦 A must-stop: Gelateria Anfiteatro for refreshing popsicles and classic scoops in the heart of Lucca. Read our full gelato rankings here →
    Inside Torre delle Ore
    ⏳ Climbing 207 wooden steps to the top of Torre delle Ore—the tallest tower in Lucca.
    Basilica di San Frediano exterior
    ⛪ Basilica di San Frediano, with its stunning golden mosaic façade shining in the midday sun.
    Family walking the Lucca walls
    🌳 Ending our Lucca visit with a peaceful walk atop the city’s historic Renaissance walls.

    Pisa

    From Lucca, we made our way to Pisa. The city was buzzing with visitors, and we made sure to hit all the highlights. We climbed the Leaning Tower, witnessed the echo trick inside the Baptistery, and ended the day inside the stunning Pisa Cathedral.

    Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa
    🌀 Twisting our way up the Leaning Tower of Pisa—it’s a dizzying but iconic climb!
    Bell at the top of Leaning Tower
    🔔 Victory at the top! The views (and bells) from the Leaning Tower were unforgettable.
    Classic Pisa photo op
    📸 Because you can’t leave Pisa without the classic Leaning Tower pic—nailed it?
    Inside Pisa Cathedral
    🎨 The breathtaking interior of Pisa Cathedral—rich with mosaics, marble, and history.

    If you’re based in Florence and looking for a well-paced, family-friendly excursion, this Lucca and Pisa combo day trip is a perfect option.

    Want to see what we did before and after this? Our Venice itinerary kicks off the trip—and our Florence post (coming soon!) continues it.

    🚐 Transportation Tip:
    We highly recommend All Tuscany Company for private transfers and day trips in the region. Our driver made the entire experience seamless and special.
    Contact: Euan MacKa
    📱 +39 338 7731304

  • 2 Days in Venice with Kids: Our Family-Friendly Itinerary

    2 Days in Venice with Kids: Our Family-Friendly Itinerary

    Venice swept us off our feet—figuratively and literally. If you’re planning a short stay in this magical floating city, here’s our family-tested 2-day itinerary that mixes iconic landmarks, hands-on experiences, and plenty of gelato stops to keep kids happy (and parents sane).

    Arrival Day

    Transfer from Airport

    We booked a private water taxi through Consorzio Motoscafi and loved the direct ride to our apartment—such a magical way to arrive in Venice!

    📍 Where We Stayed

    We booked a charming Venice apartment on VRBO tucked into a hidden alley, with windows overlooking the canals. It was quiet, spacious, and central—ideal with kids and luggage.

    View from our master bedroom balcony

    🍕 Quick Lunch at Farini

    Perfect for tired travelers. We grabbed focaccia and slices of pizza—easy, fast, and flavorful.

    🚤 First Vaporetto Adventure

    The vaporetto (water bus) system is Venice’s main public transit. We bought ACTV travel cards at home and activated them on arrival, however it is easy to buy on site as well. Our ride to Murano was smooth and scenic.

    🛶 Vaporetto Tip

    Buy the ACTV Vaporetto 48-hour pass if you’ll be riding more than once a day — it’s the most economical and convenient way to explore Venice. You can purchase it:

    Online at Venezia Unica (credit card required) At automated machines or ticket counters near main Vaporetto stops (like Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia Santa Lucia train station)

    💳 To get the physical pass:

    If you buy online, you’ll receive a confirmation with a PNR code. At the airport or Vaporetto station, scan this code at a self-service ticket machine or give it to a ticket agent to print your actual card.

    🕓 Activation:

    The 48-hour countdown starts when you first scan the pass at a boarding dock, not when you buy or print it. Just tap the card at the white validator before boarding each time — look for the beep and green light.

    🧿 Murano Glass Workshop

    We booked a jewelry-making class at Ferro Toso. While our pieces cooled, we wandered the island, shopped for glass souvenirs, and of course—had Murano gelato.

    Hands-on fun in Murano! We made our own glass jewelry during a workshop at Ferro Toso.
    Our finished works of art!

    🌉 Rialto Bridge Stop

    Before crashing for the night, we made a quick detour to see the famous Rialto Bridge lit up at dusk. Beautiful!

    Catching the golden hour at the iconic Rialto Bridge.

    Day 2: Exploring the Heart of Venice

    Morning Café + Canal Views

    We started with cappuccinos and pastries at a café near our apartment. Venice mornings are magic.

    Italian breakfast approval from Olivia: flaky pastries and foamy lattes!

    ⛵ Row Venice Lesson

    Our girls loved this! We did a 90-minute Row Venice lesson, learning traditional Venetian rowing techniques. Educational, fun, and something totally different.

    Trying our hand at Venetian rowing with Row Venice — harder than it looks!
    Strong strokes through the canals — the girls took charge on the water!

    🍟 McFries Stop

    Yes, we swung by McDonald’s so the girls could try the fries and compare them to home.

    🍽️ Lunch at Trattoria Le Colonete

    We shared an enormous T-bone steak cooked tableside—a hit with everyone.

    🕍 Private Tour with Stefania Colecchia

    We booked a 2.5-hour private tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs with Stefania (+39 347 435 1222). Chris and Maddie were in history heaven, and Stefania kept Paige and Olivia engaged the whole way.

    The dazzling gold mosaics inside St. Mark’s Basilica — photos barely do it justice.
    Exploring the impressive architecture and open courtyards of Doge’s Palace.

    🍨 Gelato at Venchi

    One of our all-time favorites in Italy!

    👉 Check out our full Best Gelato in Italy post for rankings!

    🎵 Gondola Ride + Pizza Window Dinner

    We wrapped the night with a gondola ride, then grabbed slices from a pizza window near the water. Simple, delicious, and such a vibe.

    Evening gondola ride with the family — the perfect way to end a packed day.

    Leaving for Florence

    We caught the Frecciarossa train from Venice to Florence, grabbing a quick breakfast at the station coffee shop.

    ➡️ Tip: Book your train tickets ahead through Trenitalia or Italo. Choose reserved seats if traveling with kids.

    Final Thoughts

    From jet lagged arrivals to gondola rides under the stars, Venice was an unforgettable start to our Italy adventure. The pace was perfect for two days — enough time to explore iconic landmarks, enjoy hands-on experiences, and sneak in plenty of gelato.

    🍨 Speaking of gelato — if you’re curious about our absolute favorites across Italy, check out our family-tested gelato rankings. Spoiler: we found some incredible scoops right here in Murano and near the Rialto Bridge.

    💬 Planning your own trip? Leave a comment or message — happy to share more info on anything we booked or did!

  • Best Gelato in Italy: Family-Tested Favorites from Venice to Rome

    Best Gelato in Italy: Family-Tested Favorites from Venice to Rome

    🇮🇹 Venice Favorites

    Venchi Chocolate & Gelato

    📍Near Rialto Bridge

    Smooth textures, deep chocolate flavors, and a brand our girls now recognize on sight.

    Kid pick: Stracciatella with chocolate drizzle

    Parent pick: Pistachio + dark chocolate

    Murano Gelato

    📍Murano Island, post-glass workshop

    After a jewelry-making workshop at Ferro Toso, we found this quiet local shop. Not flashy, just fresh and flavorful.

    Murano memories: Our first official Gelato stop in Italy

    🇮🇹 Florence Favorite

    🌿 Edoardo Gelato

    📍Across from the Duomo

    100% organic with rotating seasonal flavors. The strawberry and chocolate mix was unforgettable.

    Edoardo: best gelato in Florence, right by the Duomo!

    🇮🇹 Lucca Highlight

    🏛 Gelateria Anfiteatro

    📍Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

    Tucked into one of the most charming piazzas we visited. Also had amazing fruit bars which were a perfect mid-walk treat.

    Abby, Paige and Olivia with strawberry fruit bars at Anfiteatro in Lucca.

    🇮🇹 Rome Rankings

    🥇 Frigidarium

    📍Near Piazza Navona

    Chocolate-dipped scoops with hard shell topping, incredible flavors, and super affordable.

    Frigidarium: crispy chocolate shell perfection

    Essentia Gelato

    📍Near Trevi Fountain

    Artisan flavors and creamy texture. A hidden gem.

    Essentia: our golf cart guide’s favorite—and now ours too!

    💕 Amorino Gelato

    📍Near Trevi Fountain

    Rose-shaped scoops with macaron toppers. Tourist-heavy, but totally worth it.

    Almost too pretty to eat… almost

    ❌ Gold Ice

    📍Rome

    Our only letdown and only one my kids did not finish (which is unusual). Not super friendly staff which was unusual. Artificial flavor.

    💡 Tips for Spotting Good Gelato

    • Avoid high, fluffy piles—real gelato is stored flat and chilled.
    • Go for muted colors (pistachio should look natural). Mint should look white, not bright green.
    • Seasonal fruit flavors = a great sign